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Experts conclude Flint River might have caused skin rashes

Posted at 2:56 PM, Aug 23, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-23 14:56:49-04

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Federal and state officials say the river water that Flint residents used for more than a year for bathing and cleaning may have caused skin rashes that possibly worsened because of people’s mental stress and hygiene changes made over concerns about the water.

A study released Tuesday says no definitive link can be made between the Michigan city’s 2014 switch in water source and rashes because of a lack of old water samples.

Dr. Nicole Lurie from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says experts “found evidence supporting Flint residents’ concern that water from the Flint River might have led to skin problems.”

Lurie says Flint’s current Lake Huron water, which the city returned to last October, does not contain metals and minerals at levels known to be associated with skin problems.